Team event gets underway in Balijee Bridge Festival
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

LAHORE: The main team event of the 8th Balijee Bridge Festival Tournament got underway here on Tuesday afternoon. Thirty-three teams are contesting in the international team-of-four contest, indeed a landmark achievement for bridge in Pakistan.

At the end of the first round, most of the renowned teams, such as hot favourites Formidable, Delhi Gymkhana Club, Kamaljit and Delhi Bridge Associations teams from India, and Punters, Jarrar Taees, Munir, Giants, Candyland, Solox, Sherdils, Tariq Aces from Pakistan won their first round matches easily as expected, testing one another’s stamina and playing prowess.

The only team which unexpectedly lost its first match was of Candyland, the winners of the recent national trials. In the second segment, Munir, the present tournament leaders, defeated Abbotabad Lancers 24-6.

In the third segment they faced a strong challenge from Punters. It was an exciting encounter, with frequent exchange of swings.

The best Indian outfit, who recently won the Indian national trials, were Formidable who started with a very convincing score of 25-5 defeating the Challengers.

In the second match, however, Jarrar Taees caused a major upset defeating them 18-12. Solox from Karachi defeated Nishat 25-5 and then Delhi Gymkhana-2 by 20-10.

In the third segment Yummy produced a sensation defeating Uzair, a more experienced team from Karachi 25-5, an excellent feat indeed.

A remarkable performance was seen from Sherdils comprising Safdar, Asad, Shameem, Rashid and Tausif. Having started with a close victory over from Four Bidders 17-13, they defeated Data Steel 20-10 and against Formidable, they played a tight game and never allowed the fancied team to take any undue advantage, forcing a 15-15 draw.

Tariq Aces from Rawalpindi is quite a live threat to any team, which has a desire to win. They first played a draw against Yummy, then won 18-12 from Mian. In the third segment Tariq Aces netted maximum against Delhi Gymkhana 25-2. Javed Khalid, Saeed Akhtar, Uzair Kemal, Wajahat Suri and Col Masud are playing for Tariq Aces.

Asif and Khalid from Lahore are two other teams which seems to be serious in their business. Khalid defeated Bokharis 17-13 in the opener, then Delhi Bridge Association 21-9 but lost to Asif 19-11 in the third round.

Asif earlier won by a close margin 16-14 from Mian but scored 23-7 against Brave Hearts. Data Steel is another team with a galaxy of stars.

They first defeated Delhi Bridge Association 17-13, then lost a second round match to Sherdils and recovered in the third round defeating Abbottabad 18-12.

Kamaljit seem to have great potential and can be a threat to the front runners. They were defeated surprisingly by Brave Hearts 14-16, but beat Delhi Bridge Association 20-10 in the second round. They further consolidated their position at points table by outplaying Bokharis 18-12 in the third round.

Candyland, the selected national team which will represent Pakistan in the forthcoming BFAME Championship at Dhaka has suffered mainly due to absence of Hasan Askari, which could not join the team.

They first lost unexpectedly to Electra 11-19, then won next two matches from Multan 16-14 and Mian 17-13.●